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Planning Committee Meeting Minutes 12 October 2016

Written by Lesley Dixon-Chatfield. Posted in Planning Committee Minutes

Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held in the Town Hall, Town Hall, Bideford on Wednesday 12 October 2016 at  6.00pm

PRESENT:   

North Ward:   
Councillor P Christie (Chairman)
Councillor P Pester
Councillor D McGeough
Councillor D Bushby
               
South Ward:   
Councillor R Wootton   

IN ATTENDANCE           
Mrs Lesley Dixon-Chatfield, Assistant to the Town Clerk
1 x member of the Public
                   
047   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor M Langmead (East Ward) – personal.
                   
048   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest at this point.   
               
049   PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

One member of the public who did not wish to speak but was interested to hear what the Committee would discuss regarding the Local Plan.  He also wished to bring the Committee’s attention to an application for development on Marsh Farm, that whilst in Northam, may be of interest to Bideford Town Councillors.

The Chairman thanked the gentleman and said that he would be asking the Authority for a copy of the Marsh Farm application for consultation.  He briefly appraised members on the history of Marsh Farm.
                   
050   TO CONSIDER AND FORM REPRESENTATION ON A SERIES OF TARGETED CONSULTATIONS RELATING TO THE LOCAL PLAN

The Chairman explained that there were two targeted consultations; Travellers and the Local Plan.
 
    •    Local Plan:  Reiteration of previous comment.  Please see attachment to these minutes

    •    Travellers:  Ongoing problems of Travellers arriving in Bideford need a rapid solution.
                   
051   MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 September 2016 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0, Abstentions: 1)
                   
052   PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a.    Application No:  1/0899/2016/FUL:  Demolition of existing rear extension, new rear extension and internal works - Resubmission of 1/0599/2016/FUL, part retrospective.  19 Chingswell Street.  Applicant: Mrs E Patt, Stanhope Lodge, Northam Road, Bideford EX39 3LA (temporary address). Agent: G Sturkey & Associates, Bideford. (Date received: 19 Sept 2016).

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

b.    Application No:  1/0906/2016/FUL:  Proposed single storey extensions to dwelling. The Firs, New Road.  Applicant: Mrs P Bartlett (same address). Agent: EMA, Bideford.  (Date received: 21 Sept 2016).

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

 (Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

c.    Application No: 1/0846/2016/FUL:    Retrospective change of use from B8 to B2 use. Posh Wash Of Bideford, Kingsley Road. Applicant: Mr F. Kotarja, Posh Wash Bideford, 114 Rosebery Avenue, Hythe, Southampton SO45 3GX. Agent:  Robert H Hicks & Co, Buckland Brewer. (Date received: 21 Sept 2016).

Proposed by Councillor Wootton, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

d.    Application No:  1/0905/2016/FUL:  Proposed loft extension/conversion. 25 Victoria Grove. Applicant: Mr S Smale (same address).  Agent: Woodland Design, Northam.  (Date received: 28 Sept 2016).

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

e.    Application No: 1/0951/2016/LBC: Internal Alterations to Create Flat - Renewal 1/0347/2013/LBC, Flat Conversion, 8A The Quay. Applicant: Messrs Morris c/o Holiday Cottages, 5 The Quay, Bideford. Agent: Fearnley Lott Architects, Monkleigh. (Date received: 28 Sept 2016).

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That whilst the application is approved in principle, members felt the need to reiterate their previous resolution from the original application.  In order to protect the Grade II* over-mantel, which is of extreme historial importance, a Perspex shield needs to be fitted.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)


f.    Application No:  1/0885/2016/FUL: Proposed porch to front of dwelling (Resubmission of application 1/0410/2016/FUL), 51 Moreton Park Road. Applicant: Mr J Martin (same address). Agent: None supplied. (Date received: 28 Sept 2016).

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

g.    Application No: 1/0842/2016/FUL: Proposed Canopy over Existing Loading Bay Yard. Advanced Pallet Systems Ltd, Chubb Road. Applicant:Mr A Bowes, (same address). Agent: Roundacre Design Services, Okehampton. (Date Received: 29 Sept 2016).

Proposed by Councillor McGeough, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved but members would like to see the Environment Protection Officer’s concerns acted upon.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)


h.    Applicaton No: 1/0922/2016/DIS: Discharge of Conditions 3, 4 & 11 of Planning Approval 1/0006/2016/FUL. Development Plot 5, Land At Grid Reference 243026 125711, Clovelly Road. Applicant: Darren Steers, Amsric Foods Ltd, Amsric Group, Friar House, Copps Road, St Johns, Woking, Surrey, GU21 8ST. Agent: @architect ltd, West Horndon. (Date received: 3 Oct 2016).

Proposed by Councillor                           , seconded and

RESOLVED: The Committee were surprised at this application as the conditions attached to the approval were normal and had been accepted by the applicant.  Members were uncertain of the changes – if any.

(Vote – For:  , Against:    , Abstensions:     )


i.    Application No: 1/0971/2016/ADV: Advertisement Consent. Land At Grid reference 243026 125711, Clovelly Road. Applicant: Darren Steers, Amsric Foods Ltd, Amsric Group, Friar House, Copps Road, St Johns, Woking, Surrey, GU21 8ST. Agent: @architect ltd, West Horndon. (Date received: 3 Oct 2016).

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)


j.    Application No: 1/0958/2016/FUL: Change of use to five flats and alterations. Tantons Hotel, New Road. Applicant: Mr Adam Walker, Tanton One Ltd, Stoneleigh, Daddon Hill, Northam, Bideford. Agent: EMA Ltd, Bideford. (Date received: 3 Oct 2016).

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)


k.    Application No: 1/0959/2016/LBC: Change of use to five flats and alterations. Tantons Hotel, New Road. Applicant: Mr Adam Walker, Tanton One Ltd, stoneleigh, Daddon Hill, Northam, Bideford. Agent:  EMA Ltd, Bideford. (Date Received: 3 Oct 2016).

Proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)


l.    Application No: 1/0932/2016/FUL: Conservatory. 6 Wickham Close. Applicant: Mr & Mrs Parker (same address). Agent:  John A Stromski & Associates, Barnstaple. (Date received: 4 Oct 2016). Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application is approved.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)


m.    Application No: 1/0933/2016/FUL: Change of use of vacant offices to two studio flats. Smart Fones, 83 High Street. Applicant: Ratner & Bearman, CC Corporation, 37-39 Maida Vale, London W9 1TP. Agent: Maria Bailey Planning, Bideford. (Date received: 5 Oct 2016).

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the application was approved.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)

                   
053    PLANNING AUTHORITIES UPDATE BY CLERK

Members noted the decisions received from Torridge District Council since the last meeting.
                   
The business of the Meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the Members for their attendance and the Meeting concluded at 6.50 pm.

ATTACHMENT REFERENCE ITEM 050

BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL’S RESPONSE TO THE NORTH DEVON AND TORRIDGE CONSULTATION DRAFT LOCAL PLAN

1 MARCH 2013

The Councillors looked in detail at the section of the Draft Local Plan directly relating to Bideford and their points and resolutions are listed below:

General Points:

  • The beginning of the plan is aspirational and the Council cannot disagree with the sentiments.
  • Flood Risk – at several points in the Local Plan, flood risk is mentioned, in particular at 10.84 describing the risk as ‘significant’ despite a very robust and effective flood prevention scheme. All Councillors felt this statement and others in the Plan were detrimental and damaging to the image of Bideford and in particular to businesses on the Quay so must be removed from the Local Plan.
  • Housing Imbalance – Councillors felt that there was generally an over emphasis on housing in Bideford and that more employment areas and more leisure areas should be considered so that people will be drawn to Bideford to both live, work and enjoy. Otherwise Bideford might become a satellite town to Barnstaple.
  • The Plan is based on need from 2013 – 2031 and does not go far enough to anticipate the long term growth and long term needs for the Town. The plan should be more forward-looking.
  • The Plan does not include sufficient infrastructure detail to support the urban extensions and issues like a Park and Ride scheme and a third bridge should be considered.
  • Any housing development should be linked very closely to creating new health centres and a new secondary school to reduce the current and future potential for overcrowding.
  • Generally the new schools proposed on the plan do not have enough land assigned to them for playing fields, parking and future expansion.
  • Without the jobs, schools and infrastructure there will be no reason for people to move to Bideford.
  • The Plan does not address the Highway improvements, Councillors were very concerned how another 3,800 households would impact upon residents moving around the Town.
  • The Plan does not give any large provision for leisure activities, the Councillors would like a swimming pool or leisure centre to be considered.
  • Superfast Broadband in Bideford – The Plan does not utilise this asset, TDC should encourage small and large businesses to Bideford by explaining the fast broadband speeds here in the Town.
  • Phasing- The Plan relies on the housing being built and sold before employment and leisure phases. The Council feel the employment phase should come first, if necessary from investment by TDC.

Bid 01:Bideford West Urban Extension

Bideford Town Councillors agreed this development was not situated in the right area. Bideford 01 elongates the Town, with potential traffic problems in Abbotsham road and Clovelly road which will be overused and cause accidents. There would be a loss of the Town’s unique identity by taking away the natural green buffer zone and merging with Abbotsham. They also felt that any local centre would be better situated in Bideford 05 not on the edge of the town. Should any development go ahead at Bideford 01 then a pedestrian crossing in Meddon Street was essential, as was a review of public transport for the area.

Resolution:

The Council rejects Bideford 01 as it will overstretch the services, create large problems with traffic, take away the green buffer zone from both communities of Bideford and Abbotsham and is not well related to the rest of Bideford and that a new area replace Bideford 01 in the Local Plan, namely the land around Bowden Farm and Upcott; but not necessarily of the same magnitude with a new doctor’s surgery included.

Bid 02: Cleave Wood

The Council queried the flood risk at Bid 02.

Bid 03: Land adjoining Manteo Way

A bond was suggested to secure the funding for the recreational facilities early on in the development of the site.

Resolution:

That the recreational area must be linked to the housing development and safeguarded against future development.

Bid  04: Site South of East-the-Water

Councillors felt that again the Plan lacked employment areas and traffic developments for East-the-Water. At present this is a stand-alone development but with the revised suggestion from the Council concerning Bideford 01 this would create a more rounded development for the Town as a whole.

Resolution:

That Bideford 01 and Bideford 04 have a Community Levy imposed to partially fund a third bridge and that in Bideford 04 the school be given 4 hectares for parking and playing fields and that a new doctors’ surgery with 2 hectares be included on this development.

 

Bid 05: Moreton Park

Councillors felt that, as plans have already been passed, any discussion would be pointless, but they did query the meaning of ‘transparency through the site’.

 

Bid 06: Extension to Caddsdown Business Park

Councillors felt that this area would link well with their proposal of a new site for Bideford 01 but wished the employment development to be phased in early.

Resolution:

That Bideford 06, as it is an extension to an existing employment area, is built before the other phases of housing proposed in the Local Plan.

Bid 07: Bideford Port

Councillors discussed the best usage of the quayside and potential future conflict between the commercial needs and the needs of residents and the potential for leisure facilities in this area.

Resolution:

That Torridge District Council explore new storage areas in and around the Town, possibly at Little America, so that the Port of Bideford can continue to expand.

Bid 08: Bideford Regeneration Sites

Councillors queried what the ‘enhanced gateway’ to New road would consist of and whether housing was appropriate on the wharfs at East-the-Water.

Bid 09: Former Bideford to Appledore Railway

Councillors were fully in support of an enhanced cycleway as far as Westward Ho!

Bid 10 : South of Clovelly Road

Councillors discussed the need to have employment opportunities in advance of any new housing and that, if the new proposal of a re-siting of Bid 01 was achieved, any housing here would be isolated.

Resolution:

That the employment land be phased in first before any of the housing.

Additions to the Local Plan

Councillors also looked at what they felt had not been included but that should have been considered. Councillors discussed the possibility of re-opening a rail link of some kind between Bideford and Barnstaple (perhaps a bluebell line steam train or a mono rail), whilst retaining a cycleway and pedestrian access. This would increase tourism in the area as a whole and reduce congestion on the current roads between the two towns. They also discussed other areas where development could take place.

Resolution:

That Torridge District Council and North Devon Council initiate a joint project to investigate the possibility of re-opening the Bideford to Barnstaple rail link, either with a small working steam train or a monorail as per the Economic Feasibility Study conducted on behalf of Devon County Council in 1999.

Resolution:

That Torridge District Council examine the possibility of building at Mount Pleasant and beyond.


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